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Kids

New member here,
Great topic since I just returned from hunting in Wyoming. My 14 year old son was after his first mule deer and first elk. I was also fortunate to get to take my 9 year old along and of course my wife and my father. Hunting is truly about the memories and if it was not for my parents having children, I would never know what hunting is and how enjoyable it can be. So I say have kids and take them hunting, those memories are bigger than any trophy.

Have kids! They will change you in a way that these questions your asking wont enter your mind. Your like will change that is for sure. It will be your choice to make it a good change or not. One of my proudest moments as a dad was when my 9 year old daughter killed her first big game animal. Now she is totally into bow hunting. I would never of had that feeling if I didn't have kids. To me your friend is a bit selfish but I promise you this if he has kids he won't be anymore.

Honestly I think you can make time in your life to work, play, have a family, etc...

some parents entire lives are their children, not saying they shouldn't be, but mom and dad should have some of their own time, their own fun time, get a sitter, etc... go on vacation, go hunting, I think this sets a great example to children that putting yourself 1st sometimes is a good thing.

I sure kids can take up some time, including possible hunting time, but in no way does that mean having to give up hunting etc...

many argue how expensive kids are, but I think this is more of people whining etc...

best of luck!

set your own priorities!

next time he says he doesn't want kids, say good, you shouldn't have any, you have bad genes but me on the other hand, I owe it to the world to reproduce

ND- my wife and I have been considering having kids for the past year or so.. In our most recen discussion, I told her that my only real concern was that my trips out west would be cut off.. I wasn't really concerned with hunting locally, as our farm has a finished cabin, and it would be no problem to bring kids up.. But I would feel terrible leaving her for 9-10 days and heading out west.

Ultimately, I think I will just change my western hunting priorities, and only try to draw better tags, and if I don't go every year, I'll be okay with that. For me, the excitement of raising my kids in the outdoors far outweighs the fact that I will lose out on some hunting time.

Having kids will definitely change your life. Well, at least it SHOULD change your life. If you can't give up some things in your lifestyle for them, then you shouldn't have kids. There's nothing wrong with not having any. There is something wrong with having kids and then putting your desires above their needs.

As far as hunting time goes, having kids does reduce your hunting time at first when they're babies. It is TIRING to have babies and toddlers in the house. If you leave and go hunting all the time while your wife is taking care of those tiny little energy and sanity zappers, then you're doing your wife a disservice, IMO. Plan on hunting less and being home more when the kids are tiny. But as soon as they get big enough to start going with you, then you should start taking the kids with you into the field. It will not be the same kind of serious hard-core hunting that you might be used to at first, but it will be some of the most rewarding time you'll ever spend in the outdoors. There is nothing better, to me, than watching my kids experience the outdoors. I love teaching them outdoor skills and sharing God's creation with them. When I see that they truly love getting out and doing those things that I love so much, it makes me happy - happier than I'd ever be if I were by myself and I killed a big deer alone. I'd rather hunt with my son and see him take a doe and be excited about it than to go trophy hunting by myself. That's just me maybe. But I love hunting with my kids.

Memories like these are worth more to me than any number of trophy animals for myself.